Oral magnesium and the prevention of preterm labor in a high-risk group of patients.

What Was Tested

Researchers studied Magnesium in this randomized controlled trial publication.

Who Took Part

The study group was 31 women.

PubMed tags the participants as women only.

These women were monitored prospectively for signs and symptoms of preterm labor.

A subgroup of 31 women also received a home uterine activity monitor.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized and placebo-controlled study.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Magnesium and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

Some women received a placebo instead of Magnesium, giving a reference point.

The serum magnesium level was measured initially and again 2 weeks after study enrollment.

The data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Birth Weight, Gestational Age, Gluconates, Magnesium, Obstetric Labor, Premature and Uterine Contraction.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized and placebo-controlled study of Magnesium in 31 women.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 5 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 1992 (American journal of obstetrics and gynecology), a journal based in United States.

More context: the related Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc library page, all human trials.